DILI (TOP) - The United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) condemns the killing of Sergeant Milovan Jovanović, a Serbian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), when a mortar impacted United Nations position 7-2, near Marji’yun in Sector East of the UNIFIL area of operations, on 3 June.
Two other peacekeepers were wounded in the incident and are receiving treatment at a UNIFIL medical facility in south Lebanon. An investigation into the details of the incident is ongoing.
Serbian sergeant Milovan Jovanovic, who died from wounds sustained from mortar fire at his base last night, is the seventh person from the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) killed since Lebanon was drawn into the broader Middle East war in early March.
Two other peacekeepers were wounded in the shelling.
The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the peacekeeper who died, and to the Government and people of the Republic of Serbia. He wishes a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeepers.
Seven peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL have now been killed since the escalation in hostilities since 2 March, with several more wounded.
Attacks on peacekeepers must stop. They are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and may amount to war crimes.
“The Secretary-General again calls on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and the inviolability of UN property and assets at all times,” said the UNSG through a press statement to The Oe-Kusi Post (TOP).
He said, all attacks on peacekeepers must be promptly investigated, and those responsible must be effectively prosecuted and held accountable.
“The Secretary-General again urges all actors to respect the cessation of hostilities announced on 16 April”.
The United Nations is committed to supporting diplomatic efforts towards an extension of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The Secretary-General extends his deepest appreciation to all the women and men serving with UNIFIL.
He underscores the importance of their safety and security and UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.
